About Cerritos — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department manages seven major detention facilities that serve the entire county. Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown LA holds the distinction of being the largest jail in the United States, while Men's Central Jail handles additional male inmates. Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood houses women, and Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic operates four separate camps. North County Correctional Facility, East Facility, and South Facility round out the county system.
Cities operating their own police departments may also run city jails for short-term holds before transfer. Finding a current inmate requires using the LASD Inmate Information Center at app5.lasd.org, where searches by name or booking number reveal bail bond information, court dates, and housing location. For inmates held in city jails such as Long Beach, Pasadena, or Burbank, contact each city's police department directly.
Arrest Records
Arrest records across the county are maintained by whichever agency made the arrest, LAPD through its 21 geographic divisions, the Sheriff's Department via 23 patrol stations, or one of 46 independent city police departments. The California Public Records Act makes these records public unless a court has ordered them sealed or expunged. LAPD publishes arrest data on the LA City open data portal at data.lacity.org, while those seeking Sheriff's Department arrest records must request them from the LASD Records Bureau.
Recent legislation including California Proposition 57 (2016) and AB 1950 (2021) has modified sentence and probation rules that affect record visibility. Individuals with eligible convictions can petition LA Superior Court for expungement (dismissal) under Penal Code §1203.4.
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Los Angeles County are maintained at multiple levels. Felony and misdemeanor convictions are held by the LA Superior Court District Clerk and searchable online at lacourt.org. State-level criminal history is maintained by the California DOJ and accessible via Live Scan fingerprint background checks through authorized providers (oag.ca.gov/fingerprints). Name-based checks ($25) are available for non-criminal-justice purposes. The FBI maintains a national criminal history database (NCIC) accessible to law enforcement.
Vital Records
Vital records, such as birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for Cerritos residents, are managed by the California Department of Public Health. Their website, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital Records.aspx, provides instructions and contact information for obtaining these important documents. The city's archives and genealogy resources can also be a valuable source for accessing historical vital statistics and family histories.
Business & Licensing Records
Business related records in Cerritos, including licenses, permits, and zoning information, are managed through the City Clerk's Office. The department maintains a dedicated web presence at http://www.cerritos.us/GOVERNMENT/city_organization/departments/city_clerks_office.php, acting as a centralized resource for entrepreneurs and established businesses. Economic development initiatives and support programs for local industries can be explored through the city's main website at http://www.cerritos.us/.
Economy & Demographics
Cerritos is home to a diverse economy, with a mix of retail, technology, and hospitality industries contributing to its economic vitality. Major employers in the city include companies in the aerospace, automotive, and healthcare sectors. The city's economic development efforts, which can be explored through its main website at http://www.cerritos.us/, aim to attract and support businesses, creating employment opportunities for the local workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's median household income is $92,951, reflecting the area's economic prosperity.
Elections & Voter Records
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk administers all federal, state, county, and local elections for Cerritos and every other community in Los Angeles County. The main election office sits at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650, reachable at (800) 815-2662 or (562) 462-2748, with full services available at lavote.gov. This office handles voter registration, polling place assignments, vote-by-mail ballots, election results, and campaign finance disclosures. California residents can register online at registertovote.ca.gov, the Secretary of State's official portal.
Registration closes 15 days before any election, though California offers conditional voter registration through Election Day at vote centers and county election offices. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, California residents, at least 18 by Election Day, and not currently serving a state prison term for a felony conviction. As an incorporated city, Cerritos maintains its own municipal government with city council elections on a four-year rotation. The Cerritos City Council consists ofCouncil members select the mayor from among themselves on an annual rotating basis. Municipal elections occur in March of even-numbered years, consolidated with statewide primary elections.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Cerritos voters are published by the California Secretary of State (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections). Residents locate their assigned polling place or vote center by visiting lavote.gov and using the poll locator tool with their home address. Los Angeles County now operates under a Vote Center model allowing voters to cast ballots at any vote center countywide during the 11-day voting period before and including Election Day. Public election records include voter registration statistics (though individual voter records remain restricted), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable at cal-access.sos.ca.gov), candidate statements and filings, precinct-level results, and historical turnout data. Local voters will also decide any city council seats up for election and local ballot measures. California offers multiple voting methods: by mail (any registered voter can request a vote-by-mail ballot through the Los Angeles County elections office or online at lavote.gov, with ballots mailed starting 29 days before the election), at vote centers during the 11-day voting period, or at traditional polling places on Election Day. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days to count, or can be dropped at any vote center or official ballot drop box through 8 p.m. On Election Day.
Official Government Resources
Cerritos California Property Records
California Board of Equalization property tax and records for Cerritos.
Cerritos California Archives and Genealogy
California State Archives genealogy and historical collections for Cerritos.
Cerritos California Bankruptcy Court
US Bankruptcy Court Central District of California for Cerritos.
California Courts, Cerritos Case Search
California Courts self-help guide to court records for Cerritos.
Cerritos California Vital Records
California Department of Public Health vital records for Cerritos.
Cerritos California Missing Persons
California DOJ missing persons and unidentified persons for Cerritos.
Cerritos California Most Wanted
FBI Los Angeles Field Office most-wanted fugitives including Cerritos.
Cerritos California Sex Offender Registry
California Megan's Law sex offender search for Cerritos area.
Cerritos California Census and Vital Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau quick facts, demographics, and population statistics for Cerritos.
City of Cerritos
Directory of Cerritos city records and information
Cerritos City Clerk
Official public records 18125 Bloomfield Avenue Cerritos, CA 90703 Phone: (562) 916-1248 Fax: (562) 809-8411
Cerritos Sheriff's Station
Public safety services 18135 Bloomfield Avenue Cerritos, California 90703 Phone: (562) 860-0044 Fax: (562) 916-1399
Cerritos Public Library
Reference materials and research resources 18025 Bloomfield Ave Cerritos, CA 90703-8578 (562) 916-1350
Cerritos Criminal Records Search and History
Public Records Access California Attorney General Public Inquiry Unit P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550 Phone: (800) 952-5225
Cerritos California Official Criminal History Background Check
Attorney General's Office California Department of Justice Attn: Public Inquiry Unit P.O. Box 944255 Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Official NCMEC missing-children search. National database of active missing-child cases.
Search For Inmates in Cerritos and Corrections Records
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate locator. Search for inmates currently in custody of CDCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Cerritos, California?
To register to vote in Cerritos, California, residents can register online through the California Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Los Angeles County elections office. California requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The standard online and mail registration deadline is 15 days before an election; conditional voter registration is available after that deadline and on Election Day at county election offices and vote centers. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the California Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Cerritos, contact the Los Angeles County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Cerritos, California?
Property records for Cerritos, California are maintained by the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office and the Los Angeles County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Los Angeles County, including parcels in Cerritos. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Los Angeles County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many California counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Los Angeles County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Cerritos, California?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Cerritos, California residents are available through both county and state offices. The California Department of Public Health, Vital Records, located in Sacramento, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in California. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Los Angeles County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Los Angeles County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.
Fingerprinting Services
Services are provided for background checks, professional licensing, and other official purposes. Contact local law enforcement for scheduling and fees.